Oven or Stove Burner Not Heating?

A stove burner or oven that won't heat disrupts your entire kitchen routine. Electric stovetops and ovens have replaceable heating elements that burn out over time. Gas ranges may have clogged burner ports or a failing igniter. Some checks are safe and simple — others require caution.

What's Happening

Electric stovetops: Coil elements plug into a receptacle and can burn out (you'll see a visible break or blister in the coil). Smooth-top ranges have radiant elements under the glass. Electric ovens: The bake element (bottom) or broil element (top) can fail. Gas burners: Burner ports clog with food spills, or the igniter gets dirty. Gas ovens: The igniter weakens over time and can't open the gas valve.

What to Check

1. Electric stovetop: Test the element. If one coil burner doesn't work, unplug it (lift and pull) and swap it with a same-size working burner. If the swapped burner works in that receptacle, the original element is burned out — replace it ($10-25). If neither works in that spot, the receptacle or wiring is the issue.
2. Gas stovetop: Clean the burner. Remove the burner cap and grate. Check the igniter electrode for food residue — clean with a toothbrush. Use a pin or needle to clear clogged burner ports around the ring. Make sure the burner cap is seated flat. Try lighting it again.
3. Electric oven: Inspect the element. Look at the bake element at the bottom of the oven. If you see a visible break, blister, or burn spot, it's failed. You can test by turning the oven on to 350°F and watching the element — it should glow red within a few minutes. Replacement elements ($20-50) typically unscrew from the back wall.
4. Gas oven: Listen for the igniter. Turn the oven on and listen. You should hear clicking (spark igniter) or see the igniter glow (hot surface igniter). If the igniter glows orange but the oven doesn't light after 90 seconds, the igniter is too weak to open the gas valve. If you hear no clicking and see no glow, the igniter has failed.
5. Check the basics. Is the oven plugged in? Is the breaker on? Is the clock/timer set correctly? Some ovens won't heat if a timer-based delayed start was accidentally set. Check for an error code on the display.